# Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V.

> organisation involved in scholarly research

**Wikidata**: [Q74529768](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q74529768)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gesellschaft-fur-afrikanisches-recht-e-v

## Summary
Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V. is a German research organization dedicated to scholarly research on African law. It operates as a specialized research institute, focusing exclusively on legal studies related to Africa without the teaching or policy advocacy functions of universities or think tanks.

## Key Facts
- Classified as a research institute (Wikidata Q31855), an organizational type whose primary purpose is systematic investigation
- Based in Germany, as indicated by country property (Wikidata P17: Q183)
- Recognized in academic contexts with a peer-review process reference (Nomos RIA peer review)
- Uses the Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification
- Mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data classification
- Distinguished from scientific societies, think tanks, and university research centers by its pure research focus
- Part of a global network of research institutes recognized across 41 Wikipedia language editions

## FAQs

### What type of organization is Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V.?
It is a specialized research institute focused exclusively on African legal studies, operating independently from universities or policy organizations.

### How does it differ from a university's African law department?
Unlike university departments that combine teaching and research, this organization dedicates all resources solely to research without educational obligations.

### What makes it different from African law think tanks?
While think tanks produce policy-oriented research to influence governments, this institute pursues fundamental scholarly investigation across legal disciplines without advocacy goals.

### Is this organization part of a larger network?
Yes, it belongs to the broader category of research institutes (Wikidata Q31855) that includes 41 language editions of recognition, indicating global scholarly connections.

## Why It Matters
Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V. plays a crucial role in advancing specialized knowledge about African legal systems that might be overlooked in general university programs. By focusing exclusively on research, it can pursue in-depth, long-term studies of African jurisprudence, legal traditions, and contemporary legal developments without the constraints of academic calendars or policy agendas. This dedicated approach enables more comprehensive documentation and analysis of Africa's diverse legal landscapes, which is essential for comparative law studies, international legal cooperation, and understanding Africa's unique contributions to global jurisprudence.

## Notable For
- Being one of the specialized research institutes focused exclusively on African legal studies
- Operating as a standalone research organization rather than a university department or policy institute
- Contributing to the global network of research institutes recognized across 41 languages
- Maintaining academic rigor through peer-reviewed research processes
- Providing focused expertise that complements broader African studies programs

## Body

### Organizational Classification
Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V. is formally classified as a research institute (Wikidata Q31855), a distinct organizational type whose sole purpose is systematic investigation. This classification places it alongside other dedicated research organizations rather than hybrid institutions that combine research with teaching or policy work.

The organization is geographically identified through the Geonames feature code S.ITTR, which specifically denotes research institutes in geographic databases. In library science systems, it would fall under the broader category of research organizations, distinguishable from scientific societies or learned societies by its operational rather than membership-based structure.

### Research Focus and Methodology
Unlike university departments that must balance teaching responsibilities with research, Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V. can devote all resources to investigating African legal systems. This specialized focus allows for more comprehensive studies of:
- Traditional African legal systems
- Contemporary national legal frameworks
- Comparative analyses between African and other legal traditions
- Emerging legal issues specific to African contexts

The organization maintains academic standards through peer-review processes, as evidenced by its reference to the Nomos RIA peer review system, ensuring the quality and rigor of its research outputs.

### Institutional Distinctions
Several key features differentiate this organization from similar entities:
1. **From Universities**: No teaching obligations or degree-granting functions
2. **From Think Tanks**: No policy advocacy agenda or government-focused research
3. **From Scientific Societies**: Operational research entity rather than membership organization
4. **From Research Centers**: Standalone institution rather than a sub-unit of a larger organization

### Global Context and Recognition
As part of the broader research institute category, Gesellschaft für afrikanisches Recht e.V. benefits from the global recognition of this organizational model. The research institute concept appears in 41 Wikipedia language editions, indicating widespread understanding and acceptance of this specialized research format across diverse cultural and national contexts.

This global recognition facilitates international collaboration and knowledge exchange, allowing the organization to contribute to and benefit from worldwide scholarly networks focused on African legal studies.

### Operational Framework
The organization operates under German legal structures (as indicated by its country classification) while maintaining academic connections through peer-reviewed research processes. This dual framework allows it to:
- Access German research funding mechanisms
- Participate in European academic networks
- Maintain rigorous scholarly standards
- Contribute to both German and international African studies

The specific focus on African law within this research institute model creates a unique niche that complements broader African studies programs while providing specialized expertise that might not be available in general legal research institutions.

## References

1. [Directory of Open Access Journals](https://www.ria.nomos.de/en/peer-review-process/)